Description

Wing length 5 to 7.5mm. One of a group of very similar species. The males have a grey-dusted frons and flattened parallel-sided metatarsals on the front legs. The abdomen is black with creamy-yellow pairs of spots on each tergite. The females are not possible to differentiate from photographs.

Habitat

Mainly woodland edge and hedgerows, but a wide variety of habitats are made use of, the adults basking in sunny spots. The larvae feed on aphids on herbaceous plants and shrubs.

Status and distribution

Common and widely distributed in lowland Britain. Common in Nottinghamshire and at Netherfield Lagoons.

Best time to see

March to November.